Project Name: HERA: Helping Empower Women through Reskilling and Advancement

Countries of Implementation: Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal

Donor Agency: European Union (Erasmus+)

Duration: 24 months

Implementation Period: March 2025 – February 2027

Role of BK Plus Europe: Consortium Partner

Objective:
The HERA project aims to tackle gender and age inequalities in access to lifelong learning by empowering women aged 45+ to re-enter or transition within the labour market through inclusive and personalized learning pathways. Implemented across seven EU countries, it promotes social and economic inclusion of women affected by the digital and green transitions.

HERA introduces a new approach to adult education through HERA Labs—local innovation and empowerment hubs that co-create learning experiences directly with women participants. These labs function as community-based spaces fostering confidence, digital skills, peer learning, and employability. Complementing the physical labs, the HERA Community Portal offers an AI-supported digital environment to connect users, identify opportunities, and support skill development across Europe.

BK Plus Europe contributes to the design and piloting of the HERA methodology, capacity building for facilitators, development of learning content, and coordination of impact assessment activities. The project generates policy recommendations for more inclusive adult education systems, paving the way for structural changes in how Europe approaches lifelong learning and women’s reskilling.